Amazon Hit With Class Action Over Seafood Eco-Labels

The lawsuit, filed July 31 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, alleges Amazon used labels such as 'Sustainable Choice' and 'Responsibly Sourced' on seafood products that do not meet the standards those labels imply. The complaint claims the company engaged in greenwashing, a practice where marketing overstates environmental benefits, to boost sales at higher prices.

According to the filing, Amazon's labels misled consumers into believing the seafood was certified by independent organizations or caught using environmentally friendly methods. The plaintiff, a named consumer, says they paid a premium for products they believed were sustainable, only to discover the claims were unsubstantiated.

The lawsuit seeks class-action status for all U.S. consumers who purchased seafood from Amazon with these labels during the applicable statute of limitations period. It requests unspecified damages, restitution, and an injunction to stop the alleged deceptive practices.

Amazon has not yet filed a response in court. The company has previously stated its commitment to sustainability, but the lawsuit argues that such marketing claims must be backed by verifiable evidence. The case is assigned to the Seattle court, where Amazon is headquartered.